"It takes a village."

Friday, February 23, 2018

by Lincoln Park Zoo

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We’re all familiar with the old adage that applies to so much of our work here at Lincoln Park Zoo – from taking care of the animals here at the zoo to conserving their counterparts in the wild. Saving species from extinction takes big ideas and boots on the ground. Luckily, thanks to the support of our donors and members, we are able to turn these ideas into action.

Recently, our great ape researchers from the Goualougo Triangle Ape Project in the Republic of Congo played a critical role in the apprehension of three notorious poachers. Several researchers were conducting their non-invasive observations of wild ape populations by walking on various transects throughout the dense forest when they detected the group of poachers. As trained professionals and locals who are passionate about saving species, the researchers immediately alerted the Nouabale-Ndoki National Park’s protection team who began to plan an ambush to capture the criminals.

We’re happy to report, according to our partners at the Wildlife Conservation Society, three poachers were apprehended by the park’s rangers and no anti-poaching individuals were injured in the process despite an exchange of gunfire. The poachers were found with nearly 70 kg – or 154 lbs – of ivory from slain elephants. These three individuals have been charged to the fullest extent of the Congolese wildlife law: five years in jail and a fine of 5,500,00 XAF each ($10,000 USD). We are so incredibly grateful for our researchers, partners, rangers and wildlife warriors who dedicate their lives to preserving spaces and species.

This is just one powerful example of the zoo’s commitment to wildlife. In addition to our work in the Goualougo Triangle, we have developed methods to detect stress in black rhinos and assisted with their conservation in South Africa. We have successfully re-introduced ornate box turtles to the western Illinois prairies and stabilized the threatened population. We have created natural spaces here in Chicago, such as Nature Boardwalk, for urban wildlife to call home.